Flem’s error is costly

Morecambe slumped to a second successive defeat as they went down to in-form Torquay at Plainmoor.

Torquay 1 Morecambe 0

The injury hit Shrimps were without three of their top scorers in Jack Redshaw, Kevin Ellison and Richard Brodie and their lack of an attacking edge proved decisive as Torquay won with a rare moment of quality from Danny Stephens.

The tiny Torquay winger scored the only goal of the game on 29 minutes after making the most of a mistake from Andy Fleming.

The Morecambe midfielder was robbed of possession 25 yards from goal and Stephens took full advantage to run on goal and produce an excellent finish to beat Barry Roche low to his left hand side.

The Shrimps went close to getting back into the game on several occasions with Lewis Alessandra their main threat.

As the first half came to a close he forced home keeper Michael Poke into an excellent save with a sweetly struck left foot shot from the edge of the area before firing a low shot from a similar position inches wide of the right hand post.

The Shrimps enjoyed the majority of the play in the second half but struggled to test Poke.

Gary McDonald had a half chance but his first touch was poor allowing Poke to smother and Fleming had the opportunity to level the scores but headed wide from a good opening.

The closes the Shrimps came to a second half equaliser came ironically from goalkeeper Barry Roche who went up for two late corners and headed dangerously goalwards.

One effort was cleared off the line by Lee Mansell and another looped inches over the crossbar.

At the other end Torquay had a golden chance to double their advantage when Billy Bodin was played in by Rene Howe but Roche stood tall and saved well.